As banker it is my first job to be safe: IDFC First Bank CEO V Vaidyanathan

From now on, the system should open up systematically as people's financial cushions could vanish soon, he says

Explaining what went behind the Rs 2,000 crore of equity raise announced last Friday, V VAIDYANATHAN, MD & CEO, IDFC First Bank in an exclusive Zoom call with Hamsini Karthik says the intention was to be prepared for growth, as well as any asset quality contingency from Covid-19. Edited excerpts:

Would it be fair to say that the money raised is for a Covid-19 Protection Fund?

We have a strong business model. Our retail loan book has grown by 30% in the last one year and we feel this kind of growth can be sustained. Our CASA has grown by